The TravelRight Dispatch

POSTCARD FROM FINLAND
​When Nicola from Jesson + Company asks, "Can you go to Helsinki Monday night?" I clear my calendar. I then hop on the inaugural non-stop Finnair flight from Toronto to Helsinki and get to know the quintessential Finnish lifestyle: sauna culture, the push-pull Swedish-Russian history, hyper-local New Nordic cuisine, and design icons like Marimekko fabric and Arabia tableware. There was a Moomin or two as well. Hereafter, I will be comparing all other Scandinavian countries to Finland in terms of cool cachet. (And we all know how judgey I can get.)

HOTEL CRUSH
Runo Hotel, Porvoo, Finland
​Hotelier Erkka Hirvonen has transformed a century-old building—incidentally Porvoo's first inn—into a 56-room Michelin Key boutique-hotel retreat. Finnish heritage, modern Nordic aesthetics, Art Nouveau details and contemporary art around every corner all come together nicely. We spun through the seasonal cocktail menu with the head bartender and toured the art collection with its curator. Stop in before or after your visit to Helsinki: Porvoo is only about 35 minutes from the airport.

EXCERPT
Vancouver Island Idyll
​Welcome to your new happy place! With one of the mildest climates in the country, Vancouver Island makes for the perfect road trip. This story appeared in Renaissance Magazine.

In Canada, we are blessed with the arrival of fall colours—that annual burst ofred, orange and yellow that lures us outdoors and often into the countryside.And while each province has its moment, Vancouver Island is one of the most majestic regions to experience Mother Nature's handiwork—and all the staggeringly pure Canadiana moments that go with it. A Vancouver Island road trip brings a warm welcome, plenty of natural beauty and some pretty fabulous food.

THIS MONTH'S PODCAST
​The TravelRight.Today Podcast #36 includes 10 solid tips about tipping culture worldwide. We also dig into the details of my Finland itinerary and the charm of Finnair, and examine how wine tourism is a trend you need to connect with. This is the best 10 minutes you will spend today!

INTEL
How to Amp Up Your Itinerary
​Whenever I go on a travel-media trip, I have a checklist of story elements I need to cover off, so my news-gathering will be aligned with the interests of my readers. You yourself can make a list of things your vacation needs to include, so you have a more well-rounded experience overall. Here's how!

1. Culinary—Food is something every traveller can relate to, whether it’s simple grilled grouper on the beach in Turks and Caicos or AOC-designated poultry in France. Seek out local culinary specialties or make a reservation at a popular hyperlocal restaurant. I find lunch places that are full of office workers and join right in.

2.Sustainability—Give your itinerary at least one low-impact element. Eco-conscious travel, particularly something with a give-back component, minimizes your footprint.

3. Wellness—It’s not just “I’m going for a massage” anymore. Retreats, spas, mental-health escapes, fitness and healthy eating are all part of the itinerary now. I had a sound bath session at the Hyatt Vivid in Cancun and a breathwork class at Eden Health Retreat in Australia. Both experiences changed how I look at those kinds of things now.

4. Off-path—The exploration of lesser-known places and avoiding crowds has gone mainstream. Not only do you get to do something different, but you also are in on the ground floor of a new travel secret.

I'll be back next month with more trends that you can work into your plans!

WHAT WOULD DOUG DO?
​Apparently and without warning, I've become Miss Manners, thanks to the editors at The Kit. Check out my new etiquette column in the Toronto Star every Saturday or find it online. It's "razor-sharp common sense," they say.

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